Undergraduate Internship - Earth and Environmental Science

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance with PPO or HDHP

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

401(k) with matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible PTO and holidays

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Relocation packages

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a paid undergraduate internship through the Earth and Environmental Science Undergraduate Student Program. Participants gain hands-on experience, mentoring, and professional development to work on multidisciplinary Earth science and data-driven projects.

Projects may involve fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and applying AI/ML to environmental data. Applicants should be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program and meet GPA and credit-hour

Qualifications

• Experience with experimental techniques in your field of study.
• Laboratory experience with attention to safety and accuracy.
• Ability to communicate clearly in a professional scientific context (oral and written).
• Commitment to achieving results in a complex organizational setting.

Responsibilities

• Participate in projects integrating geosciences, data science, and environmental disciplines.
• Contribute to fieldwork, lab experiments, and data analysis.
• Apply AI/ML techniques to Earth system modeling and data processing.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team on research projects.
• Engage in mentoring and professional development activities.

Skills

Experimental techniques

Laboratory experience

Communication skills

Results oriented

Education

Undergraduate student status

Job description

What You Will Do

Do something that matters and make a real difference at a world-leading institution that integrates geosciences, atmosphere, hydrology, ecology and data science to provide multidisciplinary Earth science solutions to complex problems. The Earth and Environmental Science (EES) Undergraduate Student Program offers paid internships for undergraduate students in a variety of Earth science and data driven disciplines. The program provides mentoring, hands‑on technical experience, and professional development opportunities through a formalized work plan complementing your chosen area of study. Examples of EES projects include, but are not limited to:

• Contributing to the development of innovative solutions to complex Earth science problems in global security, sustainable energy, analytical geochemistry, energy infrastructure and environmental change
• Assisting in the development of critical assessments and knowledge to support national security missions and decisions
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to design and implement research projects
• Participating in fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and data analysis to advance our understanding of the Earth system
• Applying AI and ML techniques for Earth systems modeling, remote sensing, environmental data assimilation, uncertainty quantification, and predictive analytics

What You Need

• Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program in any Physical Science discipline. Examples of physical science disciplines in greatest demand include: Computational sciences, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Ecology, Hydrology, Geology, Geophysics, Materials, and Physics.
• Must be enrolled in at least 12 semester credit hours (or full‑time equivalent) in an accredited degree program (or international equivalent).
• Must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
• Entering first‑year students must provide documentation indicating matriculation into an accredited undergraduate degree program.

Desired Qualifications

• Experimental techniques currently used within your selected specific scientific field(s);
• Laboratory experience demonstrating attention to detail and commitment to safety;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate (verbal and written) well in a professional scientific context; and
• Commitment to achieving results in a complex social and organizational setting.

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Note to Applicants

The application and required documents must be submitted by February 13, 2026.

When applying, candidates must attach:

• A resume
• Personal statement (not to exceed one page)
• Most recent transcripts (or an acceptance letter if transcripts have not been issued)

Important

Applicants who fail to submit the three required application documents (resume, personal statement, transcript) will not be considered for employment. Personal statements are most effective when they clearly indicate your research interests and highlight your most notable achievements and accomplishments. It should also explain how you have demonstrated the application of desired knowledge and skills in your previous academic and work experiences. Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

No Clearance

Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre‑employment background checks.

New-Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre‑offer.

Internal Applicants

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.

If you experience any technical issues, please email [e-mail] for assistance.